Faction of Fools Theatre Company is devoted to preserving and celebrating the classical style of Commedia dell'Arte. We believe that studying Commedia dell'Arte will enhance creativity, hone physical theatre skills, and spark imagination in all learners. Our educational mission is to create an understanding of and appreciation for Commedia dell'Arte by providing accessible education programming to learners of all ages.

We are currently booking educational performances of the following shows:

A CommediaRomeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's greatest love story
by DC's biggest fools

Pinocchio! Based on the novel by Carlo Collodi

For anyone whose feet
have longed for adventure,
and whose heart has longed for home.

The Great One-Man
Commedia Epic

Touring the world
since 2004.

In-School and Out-of-School Residencies

All residencies are taught by experienced teaching artists, who have performed and trained with Faction of Fools. Residencies are fee-based and can range in length from a one-day workshop to a semester-length or year-long residency, depending on your needs.

Commedia dell’Arte: Our signature workshop series introduces students to the style and history of Commedia dell’Arte. Students will physically explore the classical stock characters and scenarios, learn improvisation and mask skills, and develop an appreciation for the international and historical context of Commedia dell’Arte. Upon request, workshops can be tailored to allow students to create their own masks and perform with them.

Improvisation: This workshop series cultivates imagination and creativity in students through the art of improvisation. Students will collaborate as an ensemble, explore theatre games, and create improvised scenes.

Stage Combat: This workshops series will introduce students to the art of storytelling through choreographed stage combat. Students will learn how to perform scenes of staged violence through techniques that emphasize safety and cooperation. An Unarmed residency will focus on hair and ear pulls, punches, slaps, kicks, and falls. An Armed residency will focus on dagger, rapier, and broadsword techniques.

Visual-Gestural Performance: This workshop series develops students’ abilities to communicate in non-verbal ways. Students will explore how gestures, facial expressions, and other non-verbal strategies can form the basis of interactions between characters in a scene.

Acro-Balance: This workshop series begins with individual explorations of the basic kinesiology of balance and moves toward partner work in giving and receiving weight and contact improvisation. Utilizing the Swiss acrobatics maxim, "I put my center under the thing that I do not want to die," we study simple techniques for lifting, carrying, and catching human bodies. We then progress to more spectacular balance and ensemble techniques. Great for slapstick, clown, ensemble work, and developing advanced grappling choreography. This class builds (literally!) "from the ground up."

In order to provide the optimum experience for your students, please book residencies at least four weeks in advance of your anticipated start date. Fees are based on the residency length, degree of customization, and number of students impacted. Mileage may be accessed for programs beyond the Metro area.

Formats can include:
Lectures for Theatre History or Theatre Appreciation courses,
Studio sessions for Acting or Movement lab classes,
Evening or Weekend Workshop sessions for the entire department,
and Semester- or Year-long Residencies